Artist of the day: The Dedicated Dulcimers of Dunedin

The 13 members of Dedicated Dulcimers of Dunedin have been getting together at the Hale Senior Activity Center for eight months now, to make music and, along the way, lend others a helping hand.

The club gathers on Tuesdays to coax sweet music from their mountain dulcimers, also known as Appalachian dulcimers. Dulcimers are fretted string instruments of the zither family, typically with three or four strings. They're made with various fret patterns, body shapes and materials.

When the club started in February, the members wanted to include a community service component, so each week the musicians contribute whatever they can to a charity kitty. When the pot reaches $200, it's donated. Since the club began, it has donated to the Haitian Health Fund, the Dunedin For Youth Foundation, the SPCA's Pet Walk and Religious Community Services' food pantry. It is now collecting for Suncoast Hospice.

Among the members are, in the photo above, from left: Betty Ferris (back to the camera) of Dunedin; Bob McClurg of Dunedin; Richard Frank of Largo; Susan Arendell of Dunedin; and Sharon Philyaw of Safety Harbor.

Dulcimer classes are provided through the Hale Center; more information is available fromElaine Swinehart, at (727) 298-3299.